Key-operable permutation lock



L. E. DEUTSCH KEY-OPERABLE PERMUTATION Loox June 12, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Feb. 9, 1946 w@ Y v B June 12, 1951 92-55'102" f KEY-OPERABLEPERMUTATION Loox- Y v s Filed Feb. q,l 194e I f -4 'sheets-sheet 2 1 E.DEUTSCH --June12, 1951 LEDUTSCH 2,551,028

, a KEY-OPERABLE PERMUTATION LOCK l Filled Feb. 9, 194e 1 4 4sheets-sheet 5 Jun 1`2,1951 l fLj.E.DEU'TVsHf jf y 2,557,028 zKEY-OPERABLE, PERMUTATION LOCK v Filed Feb. 9, 1946 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

Patented June 12,1951

UNITED STATES `"PilkTlEllSl'I' CFFICE KEY-OPERABLE PERMUTATION LOCK LeoE. Deutsch, Hammond, Ind., assigner to Deutsch Lock Company, Hammond,Ind., a corporation o'i'` Indiana.

Application lFebruary 9, 1946, Serial No. 646,600

(Cl. 'l0-363) altered by changing the relative position or 'posi- Ationsof one or more of the locking elements.

An additional object of the invention .is to provide, in a lock of thecharacter referred to, means for retaining an operating key againstwithdrawal from the lock until the locking unit" shall have beenreturned to a locked position. The lock mechanism therefore, cannot be'left 'in `an unlocked condition without leaving the key yin the lock,although when the lock latch has been released and the locking unit hasbeenrefstored to locking position and the key removed, the latch maythereafter be closed in .instances where the improvements are employedinthojse types of locks which are self-latching, Aaspadlocks, -forexample. In other Words, the 'improvements may be embodied in locks ofvthev type that are key-operable to latched position or 'in the typethat may be merely snapped to latched position without use of a key.

An additional object of the invention yis to` .provide a permutationlock that maybe masterized, that is, a lock that is operable byakeydesigned particularly for that lock as Well asbeing `operable by amaster key 'that will operate `a lgroup of other locks set at differentflocking combinations. Thus each of 'a Ygroup of'lo'cks used on asimilarnum-ber of doors, as apartment house doors, for example, may be set eachforoperation by a particular key'of the respective tenant,-and all thelocks may be operable bya master key in the custody of the janitor rorother authorized person. Likewise, the locking elementsrof apa-rticularlock of the improved typ-e maybe arranged vfor operation by each'of thekeys of -agroup of vlocks each ofthe latterof which hasilockin'gelements thereof arranged for 'operationo-rly-by I 'the key 'for thatparticular-lock. `for 'eX- 'famp1e an "outer door ofanapartment"building may havealock tha-tis Aoperable Abyeach pf L'thethough each key is ineffective to operate other than a particularapartment `door lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved key structurefor use with the improved lock mechanism.

Other objects of the invention relate to various features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specication and accompanyin'g drawingswherein:

Fig. lisa broken longitudinal sectional viewfof apadl'ock provided withlocking mechanismthat Ais illustrative of the present invention.

'Fig 2 is a broken front elevational View of the lock shown in Fig. 1and viewed in the direction of arrow 2---2, the lock mechanism being inlocking position within the casing.

Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view takenon `line 3-:3 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 4' is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken online 4-4 of Fig.2.

'Fig'. 5 isa broken side elevational view of the padlock `shown'in Fig.1 and illustrating a suitable lock-chamber Within the casing of thepadlock for receiving the improved lock mechanism.

Fig; 6 is Va sectional View taken -on line 6--6of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1 -Tof Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 'is an elevation of an improved lock unit .removed from thecasingshown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a rear or inner end view of the lock mechanism shown in Fig.8.

Fig. 10 is alon'gitudinal Sectio-nal view of a de- 'tachedcylindricallocking element carrier taken on a'vertical plane when the carrier is inthe rela- 'tive lockingposition shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is -a front elevation of the lock with the lock unit movedclockwise from they position shown in Fig. 2 toward the position Vatwhich -the shackles of the padlock show-n vin Fig. 1 will :be unlatched.

Fig. 12 is an explodedperspective View showing separately certain partsof the .lock unit .in separated relation.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view offa latchiactuat- 'ing -bar constitutingpart of the .look unitVV and also a Aretainer spring in detachedrelationof .a

ltype suitable for retaining the bar in yassembled relationin a lockingelement carrier.

Fig. 14 isa perspective View showing' vone aside of one of the lockingelements or tumblers F-ig.V 15 is a perspective view-showing the:opposite sid-cof the same or a different lockingzelement.

Fig. 16 is a broken top plan view of the lock shown in Fig. 1, with akey in position in the lock ready to be turned to release the shacklelatch.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a key for use in operating a lock ofthe type shown in the preced ing iigures.

Fig. 18 is a front end elevation of the key.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line I9I3 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a broken longitudinal sectional view of the key illustratingtwo actuator members in different relative positions in the key.

Fig. 2i is a perspective View of a detached actuator element.

Fig. 22 is a broken side elevation of the key illustrating an apertureclosure slide in a retracted position within the key and a rotatablesleeve moved to a position giving access to one or" the actuatormembers.

Fig. 23 is a broken sectional view taken on line 23--23 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a closure slide removed from the key.

Fig. 25 is a broken top plan view of the key.

Fig. 26 is a broken sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 27 is a broken top plan view of a special key for use in removing alocking unit from a lock casing.

In the drawings, the lock selected for the purrpose of illustrating theinvention is a padlock having a casing Ii), but the improved lockmechanism may be utilized in locks of other types such as door locks,desk locks or safety deposit' locks, for example, as well as with locksof types intended for various special purposes as will be apparent froma consideration of the following specification.

The lock casing I6 as illustrated in Fig.

-whether formed as a movable or portable body portion of a padlock or ofa lock housing insert- -able in a door stile or the like, is providedwith a lock chamber II. The wall i2 of the chamber II is provided,intermediate the ends of the chamber, with an annular row or ring ofspaced apart locking lugs I3 which are shown as integral with thechamber wall of the lock. In Fig.

' there is also shown a second annular row of lugs I3 which are similarto lugs I3 but the lugs i3 perform no locking function and could havebeen represented in the drawing merely as a continul ous annular ribsimilar to the flange from which the lugs I3 are formed but as a matterof convenience in shop operations, the lugs I3' are cut in the machineoperation that forms the lugs i3.

The lock mechanism or unit I4 iits within, and is releasably retainedin, the chamber II and, as shown in Fig. 12, the unit I4 comprises alocking element carrier I5 and a spring carrier I6 each generally ofcylindrical shape and adapted to be assembled into the unitary formshown in Fig. 8. When in assembled relation the carrier I6 cooperateswith carrier I5 in supporting the locking elements hereafter described.

The element carrier I5 is of an external diamevided with twolongitudinal, diametrically op posed slots 22, in its inner peripheryfor receiv-v ing a bar 23 which serves as a connector for the elementcarrier I5 and the spring carrier I6 as later described. The outerportions of the slots 22 intersect the annular groove 20 to provide tworadial apertures 2li and 25 in the carrier I5 with which apertures theopposed transverse notches 26 and 2? of the bar 23 register when thelatter is in position within the carrier. The spring ring 2 I, somewhatgreater than 180 of arc, seats within the groove and has ends 2I1 ofreduced width which are disposed within the notches 26 and 2'! forlatching or retaining the bar 23 in position within the carrier I5.

The carrier I5 is provided also with longitudinal or axially directedslots or passages 28 which are disposed in radial planes and slidablyreceive locking elements, each of the elements being indicated generallyby the numeral 29.

r-llhe elements 29, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 14 and l5,preferably are of identical form. each comprising a mid web 30 and twolongitudinal bars 3I and 32 of equal length. The bars are provided withnotches 33, 34 of equal length but spaced unequal distances from theends of the respective bars 3i, 32. In Figs. 14 and 15 are shown theopposite sides of the same element, or the iigures may be considered asshowing the reverse side of one element and the obverse side of anotherelement since, as stated, the elements are identical. t will be notedthat the elements 29 are symmetrical except for the location of thenotches 33, 3d. The webs are shown as bearing indicia on one side in theform of numerals 1 and 3 and on the other side the numerals 2 and 4. Theindicia indicate selective positions in which an element may be insertedin a slot 28 in setting up a selected locking combination. Thisimportant aspect of the invention will be described later in greaterdetail since it makes possible the use of identical locking elementseach in any one of four diiferent operative positions within a givenslot or passage 28 which, as shown in Fig. 3, are shaped to accommodatethe cross sectional form of the elements 29 and to act as guides for thelatter to avoid cooking or binding of the same asthe elements are movedwithin the respective passages.

The spring carrier I5 is provided with diametrical slots 22a which formextensions of the slots 22 for accommodating the bar 23 when the springcarrier is assembled on the bar 23. The bar projects beyond the rear endof the carrier i6, as shown at 23a in Fig. 1.

The carrier I6, as shown in Fig. 12, is provided with radial slots 28CLwhich, when the carriers are assembled upon the bar 23 constituteextensions of the slots 28 of carrier I5. The carrier I6 is alsoprovided with spring chambers 35 bored from the rear end of the carrieras illustrated in Fig. 4 and each having its longitudinal axis disposedwithin the radial plane of a slot 28a. Springs 36 are disposed in thechambers 35 and at the forward ends engage the adjacent ends of the webs30 of the respective locking elements, urging the latter to the left ortoward the forward end of the lock as viewed in Fig. 4.

VA disc-like closure 37 is secured to the rear end of the carrier I6 forretaining the springs 36 under compression. At the rear of the member 31a split spring-ring 38 is provided which seats in notches 39, 39 in therear portion of the bar 23 for releasably retaining the carrier I6 uponthe bar in assembled or unitary relation with s respect to .the :carrierI as' indicated in,;11"g..;8.,

Thecarriers .I5 and I8 also are provided with co-axial'bores whichprovide a chamber S'Sfor a rcylindrical .plug or piston 40. A spring 4Iurges the plug to the left as viewed in Fig'. 1. The plugis positionedwithin a slot 42 provided in the bar 23. The slot 42 is open at theforward end, asat 43, for admitting insertion .of a proper key into thecarrier I5, while the upper'forward portion of the bar is shaped toprovide a stop 44 which limits forward movement of the plug under theaction .of the spring 4I. When the carriers I 5 andk I6 have beenassembled uponthe bar 23 and secured thereto as above described, theycan be inserted as a unit into the. chamber I I. Viewing. Figs. 5 and 8,it will be seenthat. in inserting the lock unit in thelock chamber, Athespring carrier I6, being off less external diameter than the internaldiameterof the. rib fromiwhich the lugs I3 were formed, will pass intothecentral passage dened by the inner ends of the lugs as shown inFig. 1. The diameter of the rear portionA of the element carrier I5 issuch that the lugs arrest the inward movement of the'unit in theposition shown in Fig. l.

There are shown two retaining lugs 45 and 45 on the exterior of thespring carrier It which are wider thanthe spaces I3EL between adjacent,lugs I3. Hence to enable the lugs 45, 46 to pass inwardly beyond thelugs I3, two special notches`41, 48 are provided in the ring of lugs asshown in Fig. 3V through which spaces the lugs 45, 46 respectively maybe passed. The lugs are so positioned on the carrier I6 that it isnecessary (in the particular construction illustrated) to turn thelocking unit to the left .beyond the normal locking and unlocking. rangeof movement of the unit, to permit insertion in or removal of :the unitfrom the casing.

As indicated in Fig. 2, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention,the locked position of the unit is the vertical position, that is, thepositions wherein a mark 49 on the unit I5 is aligned with a mark 50 ofthe casing. The unit is designed to be turned clockwise, in theparticular -.lock

illustrated, to effect the release of the particular latching meansemployed. Thelatching mechanism of the illustrated padlock will bedescribed later. In removing the locking unit from vthe casing, theunits must be turned by a special key to the left or counter-clockwisefrom the vertical or locked position shown in Fig. 2 or until the lugs45, 46 register with the respective notches 41, 48. This position ofregistration of thelugs and notches is indicated in Fig. 11 to be rabout72 from the vertical or locked position. In this relative angularposition of the locking unit, the lugs and 45 will be in registrationwith notches 41 and 48 and hence the unit can be moved axially outwardfrom the casing. The same relative position of the unit with respect tothe casing is required in replacing the unit in the chamber II.

In removing or replacing a unit it can not be rotated into or from thenormal'or locked position wherein marks 49 and 50 register unlessithelocking elements 29 are shifted axially to cause the operative notches33 or 34, whichever are'on the radial outermost edge ofthe elements 29,to register with the locking lugs I3 in the lock chamber. A specialremoval key 5I shown in Fig. 27 is provided for that purpose. .The key5I is similar to the service key shown in detail in Figs. 17 Vto26,-inclusive, vand later described in detail, except that' the key5 Iis not provided-.with

asretaining 'rib-51h01' a p-in` receiving channel-:52.ashown1inf-Fig519. `The key 5I, however, is providediwith Vadjustableactuator members or pins 53 corresponding in number andadjusted-correlatively-tothelocking elements 29 and each of whichactuator members is adapted to engage the forward endl of theiinner-mostbar '3| or 32 of the respective locking-elements for shifting theelements inwardly. When Va proper removing keyfBI. is in position inthelocking unit, the respective outer-mostslots 33 or 34 ofthelockingelements will' be aligned with the plane of the lugs I3 and thus permitthe locking unit to be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise as Viewedin`Fig. 11. YThe-unit may be turned until the mark-.49-hasbeen moved toa position indicating registration of lugs-45 and 46 with the notches41'and 48 as in removing a unit from the casing or until marks 49 and5I! vare in Vertical registration asshown in Fig. 2 when the unit is inthe lockedposition. When the key 5I is withdrawn after the unit has beenturned to the locked position just mentioned, the springs 35 slide thelocking elements 29 forwardly until the same are arrested by engagementof the forward ends of the radially outer-most bars of each element withthe vertical stop wall I9 as shown in Fig. 4.

When the various locking elements are in the position `shown in Fig. 4,that is, whenthe forward ends of the outer-most bars thereof are incontact with the wall I9, the notches in said bars are out ofregistration with the lugs I`3 and the rear portions of said bars extendbetween adjacentlugs I3 and hence the locking unit can notbe turned ineither direction. Neither can the unit be moved forwardly from thechamber when the unit is in lockedV position by reason of the fact thatthe retaining lugs 45 and 46 are out of registration with theirrespective notches 41 and 48.

When the lock is to be operated by an appropriate service key such as akey shown in'Figs. 17 to 26', inclusive, the key is inserted inthe-forward endl of the lock whereby a slot 54 in a core member 5'5? o'fthe vkey registersfwith the-forward hooked end of the bar 23. Theforward end of the core engages the spring actuated vplug 4U 'whiler theforward ends of the actuator members 53 engage the forward ends of thecorresponding inner-most bars of the locking element which are exposedat the forward end of the carrier'I'5 .(as shown inl Fig. 2), thusmoving the lockingA elements to the right as viewed in Fig'. 4until'the'outer-most notches 33 or 34 thereof register vwith or aredisposed in the plane of the lugs I3. When the locking elements havebeen thusA moved, the locking unit can be turned clockwise by the key asviewed in Fig. ll thus turning'the bar'23, the inner end of which, asabove described, projects beyond the inner end of'thespring carrier I 5.

`The'nner projecting end of the bar 23 is indicated by numeral 23a andis utilized for releasing-"thelatching mechanism of the particular vtypeof lock with which the improvements are employed. The latching means maycomprise'a'bolt or other conventional form of latching element but theparticular type of lock shown in the Hdrawing is a padlock having ashackle --56 provided Awith arms of different length. The shorter arm51is 'provided with an .under-cutlocking. recess 58 therein while asimilarlockingrecess 59 is provided in the^longer arm :of .the shackle.The shorter arm is adaptedto projectntofa chamber'f-l provided 7. in thecasing IIJ while the longer arm projects into a chamber 62 also formedin the casing. The longer arm is provided with a chamber 63 in which isseated a spring B4 which shifts the shackle to the right or outwardly asviewed in Fig. 1 whenever the latching members are moved inwardly, asviewed in Fig. l, by rotation of the bar 23 as above described.

The arms l and 58 of the shackle 56 are latched in inner` positions bymeans comprising a pair of similar locking dogs 65 and 63 shown in Fig.7. A pair of springs 'i and 68 is provided which urge the dogs in anoutward direction or into position wherein the outer notched ends extendinto the respective recesses 6I and 62. The shape of the recesses 58, 59cooperate with the mating forms of the dogs to prevent the latter beingjarred from latching relation without use of a proper key. The dogs 55and 65 are provided with cam like formations 69 and 78 each of which isadapted to be engaged and actuated by an edge portion of the rear end23a of the bar 23. Hence as shown in Fig. 7, when the bar 23 is turnedclockwise sufficiently by a proper key the dogs 35 and B will beretracted inwardly of the casing against the action of the respectivesprings 3'? and 68 until the outer ends of the dogs recede from thenotches 53 and 59 of the shackle arms, whereupon the spring 33 willshift the shackle to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, to a positionwherein the shorter arm 56 is outside the chamber 5I. rihe padlock thuswill be unlatched. The longer shackle arm B8 is provided with an axiallydirected groove 'ii which communicates with an annular groove 12. Thegroove 'i'I receives the outer end of the dog 85 and permits the shackleto be moved outwardly by the spring Eli when the dog 35 has been movedinwardly sufficiently to register with the groove lI. When the shacklehas been moved to the outer-most position, the inner end of the dog B6is engaged by the shoulder 'I3 which resists further outward movement ofthe shackle but the shackle can be swung about the axis of the longerarm Si] by reason of the provision of the annular groove 'I2 as will beunderstood.

In re-latching the padlock, the locking unit may be turned by the key tothe position shown in Fig. 2 whereupon the plug or plunger 43 expels thekey from the lock and the springs 35 shift the locking elements 29forwardly or to the left to the position shown in Fig. 4 therebypreventing the locking unit from being turned without reinsertion of aproper key. The shackle 56 may then be swung until the groove 'Hregisters with the end cf the retracted dog 68 and the shackle thenpressed inwardly, the groove 'H effecting alignment of the shorter arm5'! with the chamber 6i. Pressing inwardly on the shackle causes theoblique surface 'I4 to engage the oblique surface 'I5 of the dog 65 andthus force the dog 35 inwardly against the action of its spring untilthe shackle has been returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 whereuponthe dogs are snapped outwardly by their springs, into their respectivelocking recesses 58 and 59 of the shackle arms as shown in Fig. 1. Ifdesired the shackle may first be pressed inwardly as described and thelocking unit then key-actuated to the locked position.

Refering again to Figs. 14 and 15, it will be seen that each lockingelement 28 can be inserted in any receiving slot 28 in any one of fourrelative positions within the same or other passage 28.

For example, the element shown in Fig. 14 may be inserted in a passage28 with the notch 33 thereof in the radial outer-most position. In thatinstance, the slot 34 of the element 29 will be ineffective in thelocking operation since it lies in the radially inward edge of theelement. Since the slot 33 is offset from the center of the bar 3I, thenotch 33 will occupy a different position with respect to the lugs I3 ifthe element is withdrawn from the notch 28 and reinserted with the otherend of the bar 3I adjacent the wall I9. Likewise, it will be seen thatthe element 29 shown in Fig. 4 may be inserted in a slot 28 with thenotch 33 outer-most and with either end of the bar 32 in contact withthe wall I9. Since the notch 34 is offset from the transverse centerline of the bar 32 a distance different from that of notch 33, it willbe seen that each locking element may be inserted in a slot 28 of thecarrier I5 in any one of four different positions and that to move suchlocking element into unlocking position wherein the outer-most notch 33or 34 thereof will lie in the plane of the locking lugs I3, theparticular element 29 will require inward shifting a diierent distancefor each of the said four possible positions mentioned. The particularlock shown is provided with eight locking elements which are identicaland each of which, as stated, can be inserted in one of the slots 28 inany one of four positions.

A particular combination to which the lock is set may readily be changedby withdrawing the locking unit from the chamber II by use of thespecial key 5I shown in Fig. 27, and thereafter releasing the spring 38and sliding the spring carrier I6 from the bar 23 as illustrated in theexploded View, Fig. 12. When the spring carrier I6 has been removed asmentioned, the locking elements 29 in the carrier I5 can be slid fromtheir respective positions and the relative position of all or some ofthe elements altered thereby altering the lock combination. Altering thelock combination necessitates re-setting the service key for thatparticular lock since varying the position of the outer slots 33 or 34,whichever may be radially outer-most with reference to the carrier I5requires diiferent degrees of sliding movements of the reset elements2.9 to effect registration of the outer-most notches thereof withrespect to the plane of the lugs I3 for unlocking purposes.

As above stated, a service key for use with the improved lock is shownin Figs. 17 to 26, inclusive. The key comprises a core member 55 to therear end of which is attached a finger piece 18. Mounted on the forwardportion of the core 55 is a non-rotatable cylindrical casing member 'I1which, as shown in Fig. 18, is provided with eight channels 18 in itsinner periphery, which channels extend in an axial direction. Eachchannel 'I8 is adapted for receiving the forward portion of one of theactuator pins 53 which, as shown in Fig. 21, are provided with fourtransverse notches '18. The actuator pins 53 are disposed upon theexterior surface of the core 55 and may be adjusted outwardly orinwardly to lvarious positions as indicated in Figs. 22 to 25,

inclusive, whereby each pin is adapted to contact the exposed end of theradially inner-most :bar 3| or 32 of a particular locking element 29 andto move it to the right as viewed in Fig. 4, to shiftthe element to theunlocking position, that is, to a position wherein the outer-most Vnotch33 or '34 thereof will be disposed in the .plane ofthe locking lugs I3.For the purpose of ,attacca retaining. theactuating pins53 in properlylad'- justed positions, af rotatable cylindrical sleeve 80' is providedwhich is `shown asknurled at its outer surface'and-which. atits forwardend is provided with an inwardly directed flange 81 which'is continuous:about the inner periphery of the sleeve Sti-exceptV that'it is providedwith a cross notch 8.'as shownvv in Fig.` 26. A secondcylindricalmernber 83 is shown at the rear end of the core 55 which isnon-rotatable and is provided with .channels 8'4 which are axiallyaligned with the channels 18 of the other nonrotatable sleeve 11. Thesleeves 'H and 83 are secured in position -by aspline 15a whichat itsrear end is anchored to the core 54 by any suitable means as by swagingthe'same to prevent its forward movement within the splinev grooveslprovided within the members 11 and 83. The aligned channels 'i8 and'lilthus retain the respective actuator members 53 in. properly alignedpositionalong the surface `of the core 55 but permit the actuatorelements 53. to be vshifted to the right or left as viewed in Fig. 19for adjusting the outer ends of the actuator elements to positions forelfectingjthe movement of the corresponding lock elements 29 tounlocking positions when the key is inserted in the lock.

Asshown in Fig, 19, the rotatable sleeve '83 is provided with anaperture or window S which normally is closedby a spring actuated gateor slide 86 having ends 85e of reduced thickness vthat'are slidably.guided inchannels 'Ila and 83a ofthe lsleeves 11 andl 83. The forwardportion of the closure gate "86extends, as vshown in Fig. 26, normallythrough the notch l82 provided in the annularlange 8'! of the sleeveEll). When the gate 83 extends through the notch 82 as shown in Figs. 19and 26, the sleeve 8U cannot bel rotated'. The gate 85; however, isprovided with a transverse notch 871 inthe forward portion as shown inFig. 19. which, by moving the gate to the leftas viewedzin Fig. 19against the action ofa spring', will registerv with the flange 81 andVthus permit the sleeve'fBiJ to' be rotated. The positioning oftheirlangeV3| within they notch 81 retains the gate .86 .in .the retractedposition during" rotation of the sleeve but when the sleeve has beenrestored to the position wherein the notch 82zof the angeiregistersrwith the gate 35, thelatter willmovedlby the spring 88 to theVright as viewed in Fig; 19 Ythus re-latching the sleeve againstrotation and. closing .the aperture 35 to prevent entrance'of foreignmatter into the interior of theikey.V

Upon .retraction'of' the gate 86 as abovel described, the'sleeve llmaybe rotated to bring the aperture. 85 into registration successively withthe notched portions of the various actuator pins 53; When the aperture85 registers with a particular actuator pin 53,' the notch 32 in theange 3l will register with that particular pin thus enabling that pin-tobe shifted axially forwardly or rearwardly as desired.

The channel-'H8L of the cylindrical member il extends to the forward endof the member-and permits the insertion-of a pin or wire therein forshiftingthe gaterearwardly as above described." Ashould-er-of the notchB'lengages the forward edge of member 'il as a stop when the gate 86 isspring actuated to the forward position shown infFig. 19. Theendsof thegate Stare; shown as symmetrical but the reduced rear end and reartransverse notch thereof do not perform any-function. The ends of @thegate are symmetrically lformed.sinceffsuch is `of .advantage in 1 the 10assembly ofthe gates. within the` keysinasmuch as a gatemay `be insertedin a key lwith either end of the ga-te outermost.

As shown in Fig. 20, the fourth notch 'I9- of the uppermost pin 53-therein shown (counting from the left) receives the flange 8ll and thusthat pin is vretained in an axially `adjusted positionshown. Thelower-most `pin 53 shownin Fig. 20, has 'its second notch` (countingfrom Vthe left) in registration with the iiange 8|,.thus retaining thatpin 53 against axialdisplacement.

The fournotches 19 of each pin are correlated to the indicia on'thelockingelements 29 comprising the numerals 1,2, 3, `and 4 whichpreferably are applied to the elements as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.Referring to Fig. 20, the upper pin 53 the-rein shown extends a minimumdistance beyond the forward end of sleeve 11 by reason of the fact thatthe flange 8| is located within the fourth notch 19 counting from theleft. nFig. 22, four actuator pins are shown in four differentpositions, the pins being indicated in said figure by numerals 53 withdistinguishing exponents l, 2, 3, and 4. Pin 531; eX- tending farthestto the right while'pin 534 extends the least distance to the right ofthe end ofthe sleeve Tl. Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, it will be seenthat the numerals 1 and 4 on the respective sides of the-lockingelements therein shown are inthe up-right position. If the element shownin Fig. 14 is inserted in one of the slots 28 with the numeral 4remaining in the upright position and with the'left hand endfof theelement shown in Fig. 4 first inserted in' a slot so that it contactsVthe stop wall i3, the uppermost slot 33 of theY element will occupywhat may be designated' position number 4, thatis, it will be located inposition adjacent the right hand end of the carrier l5 orY in therelative position designated .334 in Fig. 12. If'the 'element shown inFig. 15 is next inserted in oneof the slots 28 without changing itsrelativev position with reference to th'e carrier shown in Fig. 12, theslot 33 will occupy the position indicatedat 331 in Fig. 12, that is,slot 331 will occupy the extreme left position, whereas, as stated, slot334 occupies the extreme right hand position. 1f a locking element, suchas the element shown in Fig. 15, is rotated in its own plane through anarc of from the position shown in said ligure, the numeral 3 'will be inthe vertical position corresponding to the numeral 1 of Fig. 15. If suchelement in the-altered relative position described should :then beplaced in a slot 218, the slot 34 Ywill 'be outer-most and will foccupya position correspondingto that indicated at 343 in Fig. 12. That'is,Yit willfbepositioned slightly to the left of the vertical'transverseplane of the slot 334 in Fig. 12. If an element in they position ofelement29 of Fig. 14' should be similarly rrota-tedin itsl own vplanethrough an arc of 180, the numeral 2 will ybe in an up-right positionoocu'pying the relative' position now occupied by said numeral 4 in saidfigure, andthe slot 34 in bar'32 will then be upper-most. If suchelement while in such reversed position should be placed in a slot 28;the slot 34V would then occupy a position corresponding to position ofslot 342 of Fig. 12. Axially considered, slot 342 is' disposed in atransverse plane between slot 331 and slot 343. rIhese severalpositionsof the slots 33 and 34 are correlated to the positions oftheactuator pins of the key. Since a slot/33 in the position of slot 334is disposed inlthe position closestfto the plane ofthe loclnngiflugsl.3,-it will be seen that to bring such slot 334 into the plane of thelugs, the respective actuator element will require movement to the righta minimum distance as viewed in Fig. 12. The projecting end of the pinindicated at 534 in Fig. 22 will so move the element bearing the notch334 when the key is moved into the lock for unlocking the same. Likewisethe locking elements shown in Fig. l2 bearing the slots 343, 342 and 331being spaced progressively greater distances to the left from the planeof the locking lugs will be moved into such plane by the progressivelylonger effective end portions of the actuator elements 533, 532 and 53lrespectively when the key is pressed into the lock.

From the above, it will be understood that where a locking element isre-set in the locking unit to alter the normal position of its slot 33or 34, a corresponding adjustment must be made for the respective keyactuator member 53 so that when the key is pressed into position in thelock, the exposed portion of the key actuator member for each lockingelement will be capable of shifting the respective elements 29 theprecise distances required to cause the outer-- most slots 33 and 34 tobe aligned with the plane of the locking lugs I3 whereby the lockingunit can be rotated within the chamber |i. It is for the purpose justdescribed that the sleeve 80 may be rotated, when released by the shifting of the gate 86, to provide access through the aperture 85 to each ofthe actuator elements 53 so that by the use of a pick or pin or othersmall tool, the actuator elements can be shifted to bring any one of therespective notches T19 into the plane of the flange 8|. As the aperture85 progresses from one actuator element to the next and the flange 8|passes through the annularly aligned notches 79 of the adjusted elements53 and retains them in the re-adjusted position.

When the sleeve has been returned to the normal position shown in Fig.17, the notch 82 in the flange 8| will permit the spring 83 to move theslide 8S into the position shown in Fig. 19 thereby closing the apertureand retaining all the actuator elements in their adjusted positionswhich, as stated above, must be correlated to the relative positions ofthe respective outer-most notches 33 or 34 of the elements 29.

As stated above, the service key shown in Figs. 17 to 26, inclusive, isprovided with a rib 52 at thc forward end of the sleeve il and anannular channel 52a. It will also be noted in Fig. 19 that the forwardportion of the sleeve 'il is provided with a slot which is in effect acontinuation of the slot 54 of the core 55, the slot of the sleeve 11being indicated by the numeral 'i's'b in Fig. 19. When a service key isinserted in the lock the slot 54 and slot 'Hb accommodate the upperforward hooked portion of the bar 23 and provide engagement with the bar23 for turning the same when the key is turned. The rib 52 abovementioned is insertable in the forward end of the carrier I but inentering the carrier, the rib acts against pins 90 and 9| provided inthe forward portion of the carrier. The outer ends of the pins extendinto the annular channel formed in the exterior surface of the forwardend of the carrier I5 and are engaged by the bifurcated ends 92 of aspring 33 which is disposed within the channel Il. The spring normallyurges the pins 99 and 9| inwardly so that the inner ends thereof projectinwardly of the inner face of the carrier I5. Hence, in placing the keyin position in the lock, the pins are cammed outwardly by the rib 52 ofthe key as shown in Fig. 16. lPin 9| is somewhat longer than pin 90 sothat to enable the pin 9| to be moved outwardly a sufficient distance toadmit the key into the position shown in Fig. 16, a recess 94 isprovided which extends radially outward from an annular channel 95provided in the wall of the chamber II. The recess 94 is located toregister with the pin 9| when the lock is in the locked position shownin Fig. 2, that is, when the marks 49 and 53 are in registration. Thepin 99 being of less length than pin 9| requires no recess foraccommodating its outward movement when the key is inserted, the depthof the channel I? being adequate. Hence, when a service key is pressedinto a lock when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2 and thenturned in either direction, the key is retained in position' against theexpelling action of the spring operating plunger 4i) and of the springpressed locking elements 29, since to enable the key to be withdrawn,the pin 9| would be required to move outwardly, but such movement cannot occur since by reason of such rotative movement of the pin 9| withthe unit, the pin is no longer in registration with the recess 94 andthe depth of the channel 95 is inadequate to accommodate the requiredoutward movement of the pin to release the key. Hence ythe pins 93 and9| serve to retain the service key in the lock from the instant the keyis moved from the locked position shown in Fig. 2. Not only is theservice key locked against removal when the unit is out of the verticalor locked position, but since the diameter of the pin receiving channel52a of the key causes the outer end of the longer pin 9| to project intothe channel 95, should the unit be turned by the service key to theposition wherein the lugs 45, 46 register with the slots 4': and 48 theunit can not be removed from the chamber. The service key is retained inthe lock by the pins 9|) and 9| until the lock is returned to thelocking position shown in Fig. 2 whereupon the pin 9| registers with therecess 94 and permits the spring actuated plunger 44 and the pressedelements 29 to expel the key from the lock. When the key is expelled,all the locking elements 25 are shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 4by the respective springs 3S to move the respective outer slots 33 and34 out of registration of the plane of the locking lugs I3 therebypreventing rotation of the locking unit except by the ref insertion of aproper key. The two spring pressed pins 9|), SI acting on opposite sidesof a key, tend to center it upon insertion in the lock.

From the above description, it will be obvious why a special key 5| isrequired in removing the locking unit from the chamber. As stated, thekey 5| shown in Fig. 27 is not provided with a rib corresponding to rib52 of the locking key but on the contrary is provided with an annularsurface 96 of a diameter such that it may be inserted in the lockwithout causing the outer end of the longer pin 9| to extend into thechannel 95 of the casing as occurs when a service key, by reason of thedia-meter of the pin receiving channel 52a, is inserted in the lock asshown in Fig. 16. The actuator elements 53 of the removing key 5| areset to correspond to the combination set up in the particular lock, thelocking unit of' which is to be removed, and 'when inserted insuch lockis rotated to the left as above described to move the retainer lugs 45and 43 into registration with the slots 4l and 49 in the ring of' lugsI3, as described. In the particular structure disclosed,l the angularrange of movement of' the. unit from the` verticat positionshnwnfinzEig'. 2..to the unit-removing position is.: about: 72.9,. thatis, from; the position. wherein the mark:IiSrreg-isf` ters with the mark5B to the.A position .where the mark 49 registers with the. 'mark9:-.Whenqin thisy position, thefrictional engagementy ofthe special key Iwith the lockingr unit mayK enable the unit to: be slid forwardlyfronrithe. casing whereupon the particular.''settingv of the lockingelements. 29. can be changedifdesired.; How-a ever, the removing key 5lpreferably. is provide-d with. an eye 97 at its -rear end whichicantbeerrgaged withfthe hook or stopft?! ofv the'bar Zai-for withdrawingthe lock unit from the chamber when the unit has been moved totheremoval; position above mentioned; Any/change in thiexsetting of thelocking elements; 2.9 must, of course', be-ace companied bycorresponding changes. in the lrel'- ative positions of thecorresponding:actuatorele ments 53 of the service key. Similar changesmust, of course, be made in the positions. of the actuator elements 53:of the speciali removal key 5I to enable subsequent removal: of theIlocking unit.

The improvedf lock structure is such that a numberY of locks. may beIcorrelativelyset so that each. is adapted to be operated. bya particularkey and all adapted to: be operatedv by a. master key. They followingmaster' keying table.' is .an example of the setting of. six.lockszwhioh are operable by a master key.v

vtd

anni

cuiout-l kslxorensaA @mais @time geweest# girati @pages In the table,the iirst column represents theS-actuator members of a key numbered". 1`to' 8, in'- clusive as indicated in Fig.. 17 where the numerals appearvon the exterior of the sleeve Tl'. Column A represents. the setkpositions' of vthe actuator members' of, the master key; that is,'numeral 2 indicates that actuator member Non" 1 set in the No. 2 position,which correspondsto the axially adjusted position 532' of Fig. 22'. Thesecond numeral 2 of column A indicates' that actuator member No. 2occupies the same relative aX- ially adjusted position as member No.. 1.The; table represents that member NoL. 3' is: set in the No. 3 positioncorresponding to the axial position533 f of Fig. 22. Elements i to 8'are set in positions 2, 1, 1, 3, 4 respectively.

ColumnsH B; C, D, E', F, and G' indicate the set:- tings of the lockingelements of. siX locks'. For example, column B indicates that therstl'o'ck` ing element of that lock'is correlatively -set for actuationto. unlocking position; bythe first actuator element of ther key incolumn A," which said position corresponds to the position 342 vin Fig;l2. The next" locking element of lock Bis also set in the number 2position. In the number 3 positionof the lock there is no locking ele'.-ment as indicated by a zero in column B". The same is'true of the number4 positionbut locking elementA number 5 of column Bis.r set. inthenumber l position as is. also locking. element' 6.. Lock.- ing. elements7' and 8 of column B. are set innumber 3 positions.

The positions of the remaining. locks C toG, inclusive, will. now beunderstood.A It will.` be

seen-that the -rnaster key' having the. setting indicated in; column Awill operate all the locks having. the settings indicated inv columns Bto G- but that any keyl having its. actuator members 53= setparticularly to operate any one of the locks B to G' will' not operateany lock having. the setting indicated byI any other column i-n thetable.

Likewise, it is possible to arrange the looking elements of a groupy oilooks so that thev keys for each of said locks will operate only the-one lock in the group for which that key combination is set, but all'such keys will operate another lock not in thef group. For example, theimproved locks may be n-tted to a number of apartment doors, eachlockhaving a key thatv will operate that lock only of that groupl but thelook of the outer door of. the apartment. building may `have its.locking elements.- so set that that. particular lock may beunlocked byyeach of the group of keys.

The following table illustrates the master locking arrangementmentioned.

y A l B C D E F The left. hand column of numerals. l to 8` 'designate.the respective locking elements of the various locks. Column Aindicates a setting of the looking elements of the outer door` of theapartment. The zerosin column A. indicate that in positions 2, 5 and 8there are no locking elements inthe. outside door ofthe apartment.Column B indicates a setting of the locking elements of the lock onapartment B. Likewise columns C, Dy E,. and F indicate thev settings of.locking ele.- ments in the respective apartments C. to. F, in.- clusive.A key having its. actuator elementsV set to unlock apartment door B.will not unlock the doors of apartments C', D, E, or F but as will beseen, it will unlock the outer apartment door A. The same is true of thekeys set to operate the doors of, the apartments C, D, E, and F that is,each such, key will operate only each lock of apartments C, D, and. Frespectively but will also unlock the look of. outer door A.

While in the drawings. a. locking. unit provided with eight lockingelements is shown, it will be apparent thatr locks embodying theprinciples of the invention may be made havingmore or less than eightlocking elements. Likewise it will be apparent that while the lockingelements shown and described are identical and thus are adapted foreconomical machine production, special locking elements may be used inconjunction with the other elements to provide different lockingcombinations if desired. For example, it may be desirable in a master.locking arrangement. to utilize in certain positions. in such. locksspecial looking elements having notches of greater length than that ofthe notches 33 and 34. shown in Figs. 14 and l5 whereby a key actuator.pinset .in any one vof the. four above described positions will shift.such elementto an unlocked position. Likewise it will be apparent that.the locking. elements may be made in various designated. series, asforexample, a series wherein all. the. notches of the elements are off-setfrom the.v transverse center line of the elements as in the elementsdisclosed in the drawings while other series of elements may have thenotches off-set distances greater or less than those illustrated.Actuator pins for the keys for such various lock series will of coursebe modied accordingly. Hence While I have shown and described aparticular structure that is illustrative of the improvements variouschanges may be made in the structure within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a lock, a lock casing provided with a cylindrical chamber providedwith a plurality of inwardly directed co-planar spaced apart lockinglugs, a rotatable locking unit in said chamber provided with a pluralityof radially disposed passages for receiving slidable locking elements,and locking elements slidable Within said passages and each providedwith two locking portions on each of the opposed longitudinal edges andeach having a transverse slot in each longitudinal edge, the slots ofeach element being, off-set dissimilarly from the transverse center lineof the elements to provide locking portions of different length, saidlocking elements being insertable in a said passage in any one of fourpositions in each of which positions one of said locking portions on theouter-most edge of the element normally extends between adjacent lugs ofsaid chamber for locking said unit against rotation, each of saidtransverse slots being of a width to accommodate said lugs whereby uponsliding movement of said elements to positions wherein the slots in theouter-most edges of said elements are disposed in the plane of said lugssaid unit is rotatable in the casing from said locked position.

2. In a permutation lock, a lock casing provided with a cylindricalchamber having a plurality of inwardly directed co-planar locking lugs,a rotatable locking unit in said chamber provided with radially disposedpassages and a plurality of slidable locking elements in said passageseach provided with two locking portions on each longitudinal edge, allof said locking portions being of different length, each of saidelements being insertable in a said passage in any one of four positionsfor rendering a selected locking portion of the respective elementoperable to extend into locking relation between adjacent lugs wherebythe range of movement required to slide any locking element out oflocking relation with respect to said lugs is correlated to the lengthof the selected locking portion of the respective element.

3. In a lock, a locking unit provided with a plurality of longitudinalpassages therein each for receiving a locking element, and a pluralityof identical locking elements slidably positioned in said passages andeach comprising four locking portions of different length, each of saidelements being insertable in a said passage in any one of four positionsfor disposing a selected locking portion of the respective element inlocking relation with respect to a cooperating locking member in a lockcasing and requiring sliding movement of the element a distancecorrelative to the length of said selected locking portion in moving thesame out of the respective locking relation.

4. In a lock, a lock casing provided with a cylindrical lock chamberprovided with an annular row of spaced apart inwardly directed lockinglugs, a key operable locking unit in the chamber comprising carriermeans for a plurality of axially slidable locking elements, and aplurality of similar locking elements disposable in the carrier in anyone of four different relative positions for cooperation in any of saidposiM tions with an adjacent pair ofsad lugs for pre-Y venting rotationof the unit from a given position and each element being provided with atransverse slot positionally correlated to the selected operativeposition of the respective element for requiring axial adjustment of theelement a distance peculiar to the selected position for eifectingalignment of the respective transverse slot in the plane of said lugsfor releasing said unit for movement from said given position.

5. In a lock, a rotatable locking unit comprising a locking elementcarrier and a spring carrier in axial alignment, a plurality oflongitudinally disposed complementary slots in said carriers providingpassages for slidable locking elements, locking elements in saidpassages, a plurality of spring chambers in said spring carrier, aspring in each spring chamber engaging one of said locking elements forbiasing the same forwardly of the unit, said locking elements each beingshaped to enable the same to be positioned in a said passage in any oneof four positions in setting up selected locking combinations, and meansreleasably securing said carriers together for movement in unison andenabling separation of the carriers for releasing said locking elementsfrom the respective passages to enable alteration of a selectedcombination.

6. In a lock, a casing open at its forward end, a rotatable locking unitinsertable into said casing through said open forward end and comprisinga locking element carrier and a spring carrier in axial alignment, aplurality of longitudinally disposed complementary slots in saidcarriers providing passages for slidable locking elements, lockingelements in said passages, a plurality of spring chambers in said springcarrier, a spring in each spring chamber engaging one of said lockingelements for biasing the same forwardly of the unit, said lockingelements each being shaped to enable the same to be positioned in a saidpassage in any one of more than two operative positions in setting upselected locking combinations, and means releasably securing saidcarriers together for movement in unison into and out of said casingthrough the open forward end thereof and enabling separation of thecarriers for releasing said locking elements from the respectivepassages to enable alteration of a selected combination.

7. In a lock, a locking unit comprising a forward and a rear carriereach provided with a plurality of complementary slots adapted to providecomposite slots for retaining locking elements therein when saidcarriers are secured in axial alignment, a plurality of locking elementseach provided with a pair of locking portions of different lengths ontwo opposed edges thereof, said elements being slidably disposed withinsaid slots with any one selected locking portion of each arranged incooperative locking relation with respect to other selected lockingportions of the other elements, and means for releasably securing saidcarriers in axial alignment.

8. A locking element comprising a member having locking edge portions ontwo opposed side edges thereof, said locking edge portions beingprovided each with a transverse slot dissimilar-.ly offset with respectto the transverse center line of the element to denne four locking edgeportions of unequal length.

9. A locking element comprising a pair of parallel bars and a common webportion connecting said bars, said bars projecting beyond the ends ofthe web portion and having transverse slots olf-set unequal distancesfrom the transverse center line of the element to divide each bar into aplurality of locking portions of diiferent length and each differing inlength from the length of the locking portions of the other bar.

10. A rotatable locking unit comprising a front and a rear carrier forlocking elements, said carriers being provided with aligned slotsextending longitudinally through the carriers and disposed in adiametrical plane thereof, a bar disposed in said slots and projectingthrough the rear carrier, a groove in the exterior surface of theforward carrier intersecting said slot at opposed portions of Vthecarrier and providing apertures through which portions of said barextend into said slot, a resilient retainer member disposed in saidgroove and engaging said portions oi said bar for securing said forwardcarrier in assembled relation with respect to the bar, and means at theprojecting end of said bar for securing said rear carrier thereto.

11. A locking unit comprising forward and rear carriers, slots open atthe adjacent ends of the carriers for cooperation in receiving lockingelements when the carriers are separated and for retaining said elementsin the slots when said carriers are assembled in abutting axialrelation, each of said carriers having a passage therethrough disposedwithin a diametrical plane of the carrier, a member extending throughthe passage of each carrier and projecting from the rear carrier toprovide a latch operating member, means securing said forward carrier tosaid member, and means releasably securing said rear carrier to saidmember in abutting axial relation with respect to said forward carrier.l v

12. A lock comprising a casing provided with a cylindrical chamber,said-chamber being provided With an annular groove in the wall thereofand with inwardly directed spaced apart lugs,

a key-rotatable locking unit provided with a key-receiving recess in theforward end thereof and provided with an outwardly directed lug adaptedto be passed between a pair of adjacent inwardly directed chamber lugsupon insertion of said unit into the chamber in a given assemblingposition of relative rotation with respect to a locking position of theunit, said outwardly directed lug on said unit being arranged tocooperate with said chamber lugs for restraining removal of the unitfrom the chamber in any relative position of rotation of the unitremoved from said given assembling position, locking elements carried bysaid unit for locking cooperation with said chamber lugs for restrainingrotative movement of the unit from said locking position, said lockingelements having key-operable means actuatable by a proper key insertedin said recess for moving said elements from positions of lockingcooperation with said chamber lugs, and key engageable means in saidunit for preventing insertion of a. key into or removal from said recesswhen said unit is out of said locking position, said key engageablemeans being displaceable in latching cooperation with said groove in thechamber wall for preventing removal of said unit from said chamber uponmovement of the unit by said key to said assembling position.

LEO E. DEUTSCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 180,255 Miller July 25, 18761,384,392 Laski July 12, 1921 1,998,900 Lombardo (I) Apr. 23, 19352,019,399 Deutsch Oct. 29, 1935 2,019,400 Deutsch Oct. 29, 19352,090,114 Deutsch Aug. 17, 1937 2,170,205 Lombardo (II) Aug. 22, 19392,325,310 Deutsch July 27, 1943

